Lessons in Flight

Sometimes God clips our wings so that we stay down on the ground long enough to hear Him speaking to us. I mean this figuratively, since we obviously don't have literal wings. But just the same, sometimes, to get our much needed attention, God does something to us to turn our heads toward Him.

In my case, He almost literally clipped my wings.

Summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year (although I like to say that about every season, in turn). For my family, it is also one of the most active. I have grown up travelling, and fallen in love with the memories and places that our many journeys take us. This summer, I spent a month on vacation, from the end of May to the end of June. I loved every minute of it; from swimming to roller coasters to walking through the woods at the Grandparents. I might not have been able to run very well, or pick up a game of soccer or ultimate frisbee, but I was not so limited by my injured knee that I could not enjoy other exciting things!

That is, until surgery. Two days after I came home from this wonderful vacation with family, I was stuck in bed. I was rather excited about the surgery, knowing that I was on the way to healing completely so that I could return to doing the things I so enjoyed. It soon became clear that the healing process was going to be a long one. This became apparent as I realized how little activity I was limited to: no biking, running, jumping, sports, swimming, hiking, etc. In short, my wings were clipped.

And like a cat in water, I was not happy. But God had me where He wanted me, and with my limited freedoms, He was able to speak clearly to and teach me several lessons I needed to learn.
-Humility: it's very humbling when you can't fend for yourself very well, and are forced to accept assistance from those around you. Ask anyone who has been on crutches before.
-Personal freedom: watching those around me take part in exciting activities while being confined to my limited movements built character, particularly patience. It also created many opportunities to be alone with my Savior.
-Surrender: God told me that He called me as His child to give up my wings so that I found myself helpless, and would learn to rely solely on Him. It was time that I give up my goals and ambitions, and yes, even my recovery, and find my desire in Him alone. It was not enough to simply want to heal quickly so that I could get back on my feet and do the things I missed, I must learn to truly see as a blessing those things which I so often took for granted. He was teaching me to fly on His wings.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:28-31

He will never fail me. He is the one thing that will remain constant in my life. And when I surrender my wings, he carries me on His, giving me strength and power. So far as I hope in Him, I can fly.

The Rise of the Martyr

A man, though undeserving
Of the fate of men
Chose to live and die a martyr
At the hands of his greatest enemy,
Stands to face him.
Though his hour has come
He shows no fear.
Previous attacks have been inflicted,
Both body and mind;
Yet he chooses to remain and fight.

"I'm not afraid to die,"
Quoth the Martyr, tall and pale,
Though Death bore scars
Wounds so deep
They cut his very bones.
"I know you well, son of darkness,
For we have crossed paths before."
Death flexed his mighty arm
And snapped his lengthy whip
And the Martyr fell.

But young was the battle
Though weaponless the man
And rising again, he claimed,
"Yes, now is the time, proper and right
For me to pass through your world
And into mine. But beware:
I will not succumb without resistance!"
With a mighty roar, Death charged:
The blow was fierce and strong--
And the Martyr fell.

Death was determined
Yet so was the Martyr:
He obeyed not Death but God
Who had sent him to defeat this foe,
Though it cost his life.
So standing, beaten and bruised,
He challenged his enemy.
But Death, with ages of power
Used spikes on gentle hands and feet;
And the Martyr fell.

Against this power
Given strength and purpose
the Martyr could barely stand.
Weak and bloody his body showed
But his spirit was not finished.
The fate of the world lay upon his heart
Though his flesh desired surrender.
Wielding a heavy spear
Death came upon him;
And the Martyr fell.

His body broken, his spirits crushed
The Martyr crawled to his knees
And lifting his head, he cried,
"Lo, I am forsaken unto death."
His time had come;
His enemy lived on.
Victoriously, Death marched to him
And brandishing a blade of black
He pierced the martyr's heart.
And for the final time,
The Martyr fell.

Death reigned for three days
Believing the battle to be won.
But on the third day
His prisoner and adversary
Lifted his head once more
And slew Death
Rising to conquer once and for all
The strongest power of earth.
Death was defeated.
And the Martyr rose.